Nijo Griho Nijo Bhumi (NGNB) - innovative scheme of West Bengal for Landless and homeless

NGNB scheme was launched in January 2012 in the West Bengal state where vested land of 3 katha (5 decimal approximately) can be allotted to Landless and Homeless poor families in rural areas by the Collector on recommendation of Land Development and Monitoring Committee headed by SDO. In Burdwan district the survey of landless families revealed more than 8500 homeless and accordingly NGNB Pattas were prepared and distributed to these poor families. So far, 2605 NGNB Patta issued covering an area of 88.20 acres of land. This is the highest coverage of Landless and Homeless families in any district in short span of only seven months. We hope to cover all the families identified and to be identified by the end of this financial year.

Apart from land, benefits for housing under IAY scheme or state housing department schemes like Gitanjali for minorities, Amar Thikana of Panchayat department etc have been extended. While 146  houses are under construction, proposals for fund allotment for 1200 houses sent to State Govt.

Planned development of basic infrastructure of road, drainage, kitchen garden, street lights and pond excavation etc has also been arranged in these villages where lands for house construction has been allotted. Good scheme initiated and very good response in Burdwan district.

Good work in ICDS in Burdwan

Last year we had 900 plus ICDS centres running in open space, without any building and store place out of 9193 ICDS centres in the Burdwan district. The district took up ICDS building construction on highest priority in last one year and mobilised funds from Multi Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP), Paschimanchal Unnayan Parisahd (PUP), grants recommended by MPs/ MLAs, Backward Classes welfare funds and finance commission grants. It is matter of satisfaction and appreciation that 389 buildings completed and 211 are under construction, to be completed in next two months, bringing the number of ICDS centres without building/ open space to 369 only as on 30th June 2012. In the review meeting on 28th July 2012 at Memari Chaired by Hon'ble Chief Minister, State Govt agreed to sanction funds @ Rs approximately six lakhs each for 200 ICDS centre buildings out of 13th Fiance Commission grants. Pinpointed sites and requisite land is already identified. It is hoped that the work for new ICDS buildings will be commenced in next two months.

• In Burdwan district there are 540610 children enrolled in ICDS centres upto 6 years of age, in addition to 105600 Pregnant and Lactating mothers and Supplementary Nutrition is provided to 94.2 % of enrolled beneficiaries as per average attendance reports.
• Regular monitoring and supervision of ICDS by senior officers at field level could improve ICDS implementation in the district. Severely malnourished children is only 0.9 % of the total children, which is far below National and State averages.
• Door to door approach of recording weight of the children and growth monitoring has improved tracking of malnourished children and weighing efficiency increased from 88 % to 92 %, that is highest in the State.
• 3234 Children tracked with severe malnourishment has been examined by medical experts of health department and treatment provided/ supplementary feeding being done.

We hope that ICDS will improve further in this district.

Babu Jagjiban Ram Hostels - tender formalities completed in record time

Govt of India sanctioned RS 800 lakhs for four hostels each @ Rs 200 lakhs having capacity of 100 students SC Girls/Boys. Sanction was done on 31st March 2012 and communicated to district in April 2012. Transfer of land in favour of Backward Classes Welfare, preparation of estimates, vetting and tendering completed in record three months time by District Administration. Work order of all Hostels issued and work to commence shortly. Hon'ble CM West Bengal is scheduled to lay the foundation stone on 28th July at 1 pm at Burdwan.

These hostels are meant for SC Girls/ Boys and to be maintained by concerned educational Institutions out of the fund. It is expected that the buidlings will be completed by March 2013.